Mario Götze
The German midfielder who authored a moment of pure World Cup magic, scoring the extra-time winner that delivered the trophy in 2014.
Born 1992 (age 34)·German footballer·Birthday: June 3·Millennials
Biography
Mario Götze's career has been defined by a single, sublime touch in the Maracanã Stadium, a moment that forever etched his name into football folklore. Hailed as a 'German Messi' in his youth at Borussia Dortmund, his technical grace, vision, and agility made him the symbol of a vibrant, new German footballing generation. Under Jürgen Klopp, he was instrumental in Dortmund's back-to-back Bundesliga titles, his play embodying the team's frenetic, joyful style. A high-profile move to Bayern Munich followed, but it was his return to the national team stage in Brazil that cemented his legacy. Summoned from the bench by Joachim Löw in the final, Götze's chest control and volley in the 113th minute broke Argentine hearts and ended Germany's 24-year wait for a fourth star. His subsequent journey has been a public battle with a metabolic disorder, a testament to his resilience, as he fought to rediscover his best form, proving his story encompasses far more than one immortal goal.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mario was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mario Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Mario's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina.
- Won two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and 2012.
- Secured a UEFA Champions League runner-up medal with Borussia Dortmund in 2013.
- Won four consecutive Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich from 2014 to 2017.
Did You Know?
He was the first player to score a winning goal in a World Cup final as a substitute.
He has a condition called myopathy, a metabolic muscle disorder that affected his training and performance.
He made his senior debut for Borussia Dortmund at the age of 17.
He won the Golden Boy award in 2011 as the best young player in Europe.
“I told him [Mario Götze], 'Show the world you are better than Messi and can decide the World Cup.'”
